It is natural for pet owners to want to provide the best care possible for their animals, but paying veterinary bills can be a challenge for some. While pet insurance can help cover the costs of animal care, there are a number of ways you can help minimize costs of your pets veterinary care.

One of the easiest way to sidestep some of the heftiest vet bills is to keep your pet up-to-date on routine veterinary care, according to the Denver Post. Vaccinating against diseases like distemper, hepatitis, rabies and parvovirus in dogs is less expensive than treating any one of these illnesses should your canine become infected. Additionally, you should check frequently for lumps and ticks on dogs. Always report abnormalities to the veterinarian, as going in for a visit to find out nothing is wrong is cheaper than surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Keeping up-to-date on your pet's dental health is also an easy way to reduce costly visits to the vet. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, canine dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen by veterinarians. Practicing dental care at home by brushing your dog’s teeth with pet toothpaste or other dental care products can help prevent tartar buildup. Although professional cleanings will still be occasionally required, providing daily dental care will minimize the number of these more costly procedures required.

Specialty Care

As part of the VCA family, we have over 83 specialty hospitals across the US and Canada which provide referral specialty care, so there may be one near you. Enter ZIP to find VCA specialty care hospitals near you.